The Best Roguelike And Roguelite Games With Unlockable Characters

Key Takeaways

Most roguelikes offer unlockable weapons, but some add characters for a new gameplay experience.
Having multiple characters in roguelikes breaks the monotony and keeps players engaged with new playstyles.
Games like BlazBlue Entropy Effect, Children Of Morta, and Rogue Legacy 2 offer a variety of characters to unlock and play.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I must say that the world of roguelikes has always held a special place in my heart. The unpredictable nature of these games, coupled with their deep strategic elements and replayability, keeps me coming back for more. So, let’s dive into this list and see what these games have to offer!

In most roguelikes, players typically control a single character throughout their journey. For instance, Hades is a well-known example. Unlike Hades, it doesn’t offer multiple playable characters, but it does provide unlockable weapons to keep the gameplay engaging. As Hades 2 is currently in early access, the developers might consider introducing new characters, which could add an additional layer of depth compared to the weapon-unlocking system common in roguelikes.

Introducing fresh characters can greatly alter the gaming experience, offering players a novel perspective on the game. This is particularly effective for roguelike games, which rely heavily on repetition. A change of character provides a much-needed break from monotony. Here are some excellent roguelikes featuring multiple characters to explore.

6 BlazBlue Entropy Effect

A Fighting Game Legend Goes Rogue

The Best Roguelike And Roguelite Games With Unlockable Characters

You might not be aware, but there’s a newer game called BlazBlue Entropy Effect that has just hit Steam in February 2024. It’s a roguelike spinoff from the popular BlazBlue fighting game series. At the outset, you can select one of the numerous playable characters available.

It’s beneficial to have some understanding of the BlazBlue series, because the characters in this roguelike tend to act in a similar manner to their counterparts from the franchise. For instance, if you prefer a character who moves slowly but deals significant damage, Ragna the Bloodedge would be an ideal choice. On the other hand, if you’d rather attack enemies from afar, Noel Vermillion might suit your style as she wields firearms. Additionally, you can acquire funds to unlock more characters later in the game.

5 Children Of Morta

Standing By Your Family Through A Cursed Plague

In “Children of Morta,” the narrative revolves around the Bergsons, a single family whose members serve as the principal playable characters. Throughout the game, you’ll start with John, the family patriarch, who utilizes an old-school RPG arsenal, including a sword and shield. As John uncovers an evil that has risen once more beneath their home, the family rallies together to halt its expansion. As the story unfolds, additional characters will become accessible, and each one gains experience separately, with advancements ranging from stat boosts to learning new abilities.

In simpler terms, another character we’ll discuss is Mark, who resembles a monk. He possesses a powerful punching ability against opponents and is among the stronger playable characters. The game offers quite a few family members to unlock as you progress. A delightful feature is that the game allows two players to cooperate simultaneously, enhancing the gaming experience.

4 Endless Dungeon

A Dungeon Crawler With A Tower Defense Appeal

Endless Dungeon is a spin-off of the game Dungeon of the Endless, where players join a team on an infected space station overrun by aliens. You can either play solo, controlling a party of three characters, or team up with two other players in a cooperative mode. Progressing through the game unlocks new characters, who specialize in various gun classes.

For instance, the character Sweeper is similar to a Handgun, and its weapon functions similarly to a submachine gun. On the other hand, Bunker is also categorized as a Handgun but wields a weapon resembling a shotgun. To ensure uniqueness among characters, each class has distinct characteristics. The main objective in every mission involves shielding a robot while it scouts and neutralizes extraterrestrial threats. Gameplay allows players to install turrets and other defensive structures akin to a tower defense game.

3 Rogue Legacy 2

The Apple Does Not Fall Far From The Tree

In essence, Rogue Legacy 2 offers characters that can be unlocked through its class system, similar to Children of Morta. The narrative centers around a family’s relentless quest to vanquish an ominous castle, a curse passed down through generations. When a player meets their demise, they are given a new life in the form of a character belonging to a distinct class.

The class system does contain unlockables, making it count even more, as players expand their castle to fight back against the evil one. For example, Barbarians typically have swords or axes and can use shouting abilities similar to the Dragonborn in The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim. Another class is the Pirate who can shoot cannons and can even summon a little pirate airship to attack enemies with. It’s one of the more inventive class/character systems in a roguelike.

2 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate

Cowabunga Dude!

In the game titled “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate”, it’s important to note that there are no characters that can be unlocked beyond the tutorial. However, once a player finishes a session with Leonardo, they gain the freedom to select any of the remaining four turtles for gameplay. Each character in the game is equipped with their distinctive weapon from the series and possesses unique strengths and weaknesses, just like their counterparts from the show.

Raphael, in contrast, delivers powerful blows despite having limited reach with his Sai weapons. Donatello, on the other hand, might not pack as much punch, but he compensates with his Bo Staff’s extended range. In this game, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate, players can enhance their team by utilizing in-game upgrade systems to acquire new skills and boost stats. Although it may not offer the thrill of unveiling a fresh character every few hours, this game’s diverse roster of heroes might actually be more engaging.

1 Wild Bastards

A Space Western For The Ages

Wild Bastards serves as a fresh, spiritual successor to the 2019 release Void Bastards, another installment within the roguelike genre. In the previous game, characters were prisoners, struggling to break free from their destiny by exploring wrecked spacecrafts. Conversely, in Wild Bastards, players control outlaws who are not bound by any prison sentence. They have the freedom to travel across the galaxy in their ship, hopping from one system to another with the primary objective of acquiring treasure.

Initially, characters in the game are introduced as Spider Rosa and Casino. Spider Rosa wields twin revolvers, while Casino carries a shotgun. Throughout the game, additional characters such as Smoky, who simulates shooting fire from his finger guns, join the team randomly. The gameplay involves a tactical element, allowing players to navigate a map, take turns, and then engage in first-person combat within 3D arenas.

2024-10-04 06:04